1 — Were Jehovah's Witnesses encouraged to sell their homes? Some say no. This was in the 1974 Kingdom Ministry, in May of 1974. What do you say the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society encouraged 31 years ago?
(1) Yes, since the summer of 1973 there have been new peaks in pioneers every month. Now there are 20,394 regular and special pioneers in the United States, an all-time peak. That is 5,190 more than there were in February 1973! A 34-percent increase! Does that not warm our hearts?
I see the encouragement for others to do more in the ministry, encouraging those who may have had the means to pioneer and could make the arrangements to do so
2 — (a) Was a house and property a "needless weight" that "encumbered" some so that they were prevented from pioneering? (b) In article context, what is being encouraged here?
(2) Circumstances such as poor health or responsibilities in connection with your family may limit what you can do
in the field ministry. And yet, the pioneer ranks include many who have health limitations, as well as some persons
with families. But these brothers and sisters are able to regulate their lives so that they can care for their
responsibilities and still put in the 1,200 hours a year, an average of 100 hours a month in the field ministry,
required of pioneers.
Therefore, do not be too quick to dismiss the possibility that you, too, may be able to pioneer. Give it careful
and prayerful consideration. Perhaps an analysis will reveal that your life is encumbered with needless weights
that can be put off so that you can pioneer. Particularly may this be the case if you are single, or are married
but have no children.—Heb. 12:1.
No and there is still nothing wrong with having a home. The same as the previous question, to see if one had the means and the circumstances to pioneer
3 — In article context, were Witnesses being asked to consider that Jehovah might view them as "living to satisfy personal desires, rather than to do his will" if they did not sell their home to pioneer? If not, what is being indicated by this article?
(3) So, then, ask yourself: How am I using my life? Can I make adjustments that will enable me to pioneer? If I can,
will failure to do so indicate to Jehovah that I am living to satisfy personal desires, rather than to do His will?
Every one of us wants to be able to say, as did the apostle Paul, “Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh I live
by the faith that is toward the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me. I do not shove aside the
undeserved kindness of God.” Gal. 2:20, 21.
Where do you see any encouragement to sell one's home ? That has to be about the dumbest comment I have seen in connection with this. The facts speak otherwise. Did some sell their homes to move to other areas ? Yes. Why ? Because they saw a need and wanted to help others.
4 — Apparently, as history has shown, such ones will proceed to become 53 years old in this system. In article context, do you suppose that is what they were encouraged to think about when they graduated?
(4)Perhaps, though, you are not able to engage in the full-time service as a pioneer or at Bethel, because of having
a family to support or due to old age and poor health. Why not, then, urge others, especially the younger ones, to
seize hold of such special privileges? Help others to analyze their goals in life. Ask them what they are going to
do when they graduate from school? Reason with them to see that the dying old world has nothing to offer. Help them to show Jehovah that they truly appreciate his undeserved kindness by volunteering to serve where his organization needs them the most, especially ‘in the days of their young manhood.’ Help those who now qualify for Bethel service to say, in effect, “Here I am! Send me,” by filling out and sending in their application. Eccl. 12:1; Isa. 6:8.
Come on. The encouragement is PLAIN, to consider serving God full time by pioneering or in Bethel service.
